Brand: Simplicité www.simplicite.com.au
Skincare or haircare? Skincare
I tried: (above) Macadamia and Bush Gardenia Body Scrub, Nourishing Hand & Nail Creme, Sage Face Oil, Angelica Lip Care Balm, Luxurious Mandarin Body Butter, Results Lift Gel, One Step Exfoliating Cleanser, Firming Rehydration Eye Cream, Anti-Oxidant Plant Serum.
Clean creds: Simplicité uses the best possible quality extracts from plants and flowers to give a healthy-looking, radiant complexion. Not tested on animals. And click here to see what they WON'T use - It's too long to list!
Best bit: Having had a several email conversations with Robin (one half of Simplicité), I get the impression they really know their stuff - their ingredients, their science, their results. And they are passionate to boot. And then some! They want what you want - great skin, naturally.
Skincare or haircare? Skincare
I tried: (above) Macadamia and Bush Gardenia Body Scrub, Nourishing Hand & Nail Creme, Sage Face Oil, Angelica Lip Care Balm, Luxurious Mandarin Body Butter, Results Lift Gel, One Step Exfoliating Cleanser, Firming Rehydration Eye Cream, Anti-Oxidant Plant Serum.
Clean creds: Simplicité uses the best possible quality extracts from plants and flowers to give a healthy-looking, radiant complexion. Not tested on animals. And click here to see what they WON'T use - It's too long to list!
Best bit: Having had a several email conversations with Robin (one half of Simplicité), I get the impression they really know their stuff - their ingredients, their science, their results. And they are passionate to boot. And then some! They want what you want - great skin, naturally.
Standout product: The Mandarin Body Butter is soooo lovely. Really rich and goopy and luxurious, and it smells get-outta-town good. Special mention has to be given to the Simplicité Angelica Lip Balm. It's so soothing (it has the consistency of an eye cream) – and it fixes all lip ailments in record time. Not like "chap sticks", which, because they’re based on mineral oil actually draw moisture from the lips on every application – so you need to keep on, keep on putting on... The Angelica Lip Balm is really different. And really works.
Bonus points: I applaud Simplicité for having a dedicated dehydrated/mature skin range. Dehydration is a constant skin "issue" for me, so I'm a bit happy about that.
Where to buy: Click for stockists
Bonus points: I applaud Simplicité for having a dedicated dehydrated/mature skin range. Dehydration is a constant skin "issue" for me, so I'm a bit happy about that.
Where to buy: Click for stockists
Buy online at: Simplicité
I had a few more questions, so I put them to Robin and David: How often should I cleanse/wash my face (and why)? I know that people say their face is ‘clean’ in the morning. So why do they need to cleanse?
The skin releases metabolic waste overnight. Regardless of whether makeup was worn or not, and regardless of whether the skin feels 'dirty' or not, the skin needs effective cleansing twice daily, and also again after sport/exercising/perspiring. Splashing the face and neck with water in the morning just feeds odour causing bacteria. We understand that many people get out of the habit of cleansing in the morning as many cleansers they've used in the past are just too 'stripping'. The skin feels too taut and dry if you use these more than once daily! Even the 'plant based' ones!
What does "certified organic" actually mean?
We're not sure ourselves! To achieve 'organic' status in Australia skin care products just have to have 70% organic content. Explain that one! That's like eating an apple that's 70% organic... it makes no sense to us and we think the certification is weak and is used for marketing purposes. Our herbs are 'medicinal grade' which means one thing only - of a standard, grade and efficacy that can be used to make remedies for prescription by Herbalists. Plant extracts in most products are also invariably weak (‘certified organic’ doesn’t mean effective); the amount used can be so very tiny – to say it is a drop in a bucket would be being generous. This won’t give positive, lasting results for skin." David has been sent samples of organically grown herbs and he always has these analyzed. They usually are 'organic' as claimed; free of pesticides, herbicides and heavy metal contamination but they often are very low in what are called 'active principles' ie the constituents that make the herb 'work'! Reasons: wrong soil type for this herb, wrong climate, over-watering. These all have an impact on the activity and quality of the herb, just like growing grapes for the finest wine. Just one example: David sources lavender for Simplicité products only from the French and Italian Alps where it grows at altitudes of above 1000 metres. He won’t use any lavender grown in Australia because it doesn’t grow at a high enough altitude to be medicinal grade. In fact it’s most often camphorous, and this is usually what people are reacting to who say they’re allergic to lavender.
Tell me more about my favourite product - the Mandarin Body Butter. I asked David to make me a body butter a couple of years ago because my legs have always been a bit dry no matter what – not anymore! It's a lasting, deep rehydration and refirming moisturizer (perfect for rough heels and dry elbows as well!) Cocoa Butter & Mandarin firms loss of tone and mproves the appearance of sun damage. Shea Butter & Carrot are both used in the treatment of rashes including dermatitis and eczema. Because of its rich levels of vitamin A precursors, carrot is used in the treatment of many other skin conditions including skin cancers. Marjoram encourages a smoother looking skin, soothes irritated skin conditions and is warming to the skin. It also protects cell membranes against early ageing, We source it from Granada (Spain). The body butter gives even better results for rehydrating skin when you use the Macadamia Body Scrub a couple of times a week in the shower.
Why is oil good for my skin? Won't it block my pores and make my face/skin greasy?
Face Oils are used to give deep rehydration to the skin. They contain fine plant oils that absorb very quickly into any skin that is exfoliated regularly. These plant oils provide essential nutrients, in a hydrophillic matrix (able to dissolve easily), which allows the deep absorption of soluble vitamins. Face Oils are also recommended for even the oiliest skin or skin with acne as the deep absorption helps to keep the pores clear, minimising the formation of blackheads and pimples. The amount used is adjustable according to skin type and weather (i.e. low humidity). Apply between ½ and 1-2 pumps into palm of hand, rub hands together and pat on, then massage into skin which has been moistened with the Flower Water Toning Lotion. The face oil will never feel greasy if there is regular exfoliation and the oil is applied in the correct manner. (See this video gallery for detailed info on why and how to apply the two types of Simplicité face oils.) Some typical key Ingredients & benefits of our face oils are: Wheatgerm - encourages collagen formation. Calendula - stimulates cellular renewal. Encourages the restructuring of damaged tissue, a source of provitamins essential for skin firming. Used for centuries to tone weakened (surface) blood vessels. Patchouli - specific benefits for wrinkled dry skin. Used on dermatitis and eczema. Minimises reactive rednessof the skin. Antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal.
If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy one of my newest bookmark-worthy blog discoveries - the clean beauty blog. It rocks! And if it seems like everyone is detoxing their beauty cabinets right now, it's because they are! Read on, Tonic-ettes:
I had a few more questions, so I put them to Robin and David: How often should I cleanse/wash my face (and why)? I know that people say their face is ‘clean’ in the morning. So why do they need to cleanse?
The skin releases metabolic waste overnight. Regardless of whether makeup was worn or not, and regardless of whether the skin feels 'dirty' or not, the skin needs effective cleansing twice daily, and also again after sport/exercising/perspiring. Splashing the face and neck with water in the morning just feeds odour causing bacteria. We understand that many people get out of the habit of cleansing in the morning as many cleansers they've used in the past are just too 'stripping'. The skin feels too taut and dry if you use these more than once daily! Even the 'plant based' ones!
What does "certified organic" actually mean?
We're not sure ourselves! To achieve 'organic' status in Australia skin care products just have to have 70% organic content. Explain that one! That's like eating an apple that's 70% organic... it makes no sense to us and we think the certification is weak and is used for marketing purposes. Our herbs are 'medicinal grade' which means one thing only - of a standard, grade and efficacy that can be used to make remedies for prescription by Herbalists. Plant extracts in most products are also invariably weak (‘certified organic’ doesn’t mean effective); the amount used can be so very tiny – to say it is a drop in a bucket would be being generous. This won’t give positive, lasting results for skin." David has been sent samples of organically grown herbs and he always has these analyzed. They usually are 'organic' as claimed; free of pesticides, herbicides and heavy metal contamination but they often are very low in what are called 'active principles' ie the constituents that make the herb 'work'! Reasons: wrong soil type for this herb, wrong climate, over-watering. These all have an impact on the activity and quality of the herb, just like growing grapes for the finest wine. Just one example: David sources lavender for Simplicité products only from the French and Italian Alps where it grows at altitudes of above 1000 metres. He won’t use any lavender grown in Australia because it doesn’t grow at a high enough altitude to be medicinal grade. In fact it’s most often camphorous, and this is usually what people are reacting to who say they’re allergic to lavender.
Tell me more about my favourite product - the Mandarin Body Butter. I asked David to make me a body butter a couple of years ago because my legs have always been a bit dry no matter what – not anymore! It's a lasting, deep rehydration and refirming moisturizer (perfect for rough heels and dry elbows as well!) Cocoa Butter & Mandarin firms loss of tone and mproves the appearance of sun damage. Shea Butter & Carrot are both used in the treatment of rashes including dermatitis and eczema. Because of its rich levels of vitamin A precursors, carrot is used in the treatment of many other skin conditions including skin cancers. Marjoram encourages a smoother looking skin, soothes irritated skin conditions and is warming to the skin. It also protects cell membranes against early ageing, We source it from Granada (Spain). The body butter gives even better results for rehydrating skin when you use the Macadamia Body Scrub a couple of times a week in the shower.
Why is oil good for my skin? Won't it block my pores and make my face/skin greasy?
Face Oils are used to give deep rehydration to the skin. They contain fine plant oils that absorb very quickly into any skin that is exfoliated regularly. These plant oils provide essential nutrients, in a hydrophillic matrix (able to dissolve easily), which allows the deep absorption of soluble vitamins. Face Oils are also recommended for even the oiliest skin or skin with acne as the deep absorption helps to keep the pores clear, minimising the formation of blackheads and pimples. The amount used is adjustable according to skin type and weather (i.e. low humidity). Apply between ½ and 1-2 pumps into palm of hand, rub hands together and pat on, then massage into skin which has been moistened with the Flower Water Toning Lotion. The face oil will never feel greasy if there is regular exfoliation and the oil is applied in the correct manner. (See this video gallery for detailed info on why and how to apply the two types of Simplicité face oils.) Some typical key Ingredients & benefits of our face oils are: Wheatgerm - encourages collagen formation. Calendula - stimulates cellular renewal. Encourages the restructuring of damaged tissue, a source of provitamins essential for skin firming. Used for centuries to tone weakened (surface) blood vessels. Patchouli - specific benefits for wrinkled dry skin. Used on dermatitis and eczema. Minimises reactive rednessof the skin. Antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal.
The Dirty Thirty: 30 Most Toxic Beauty Ingredients (The Wellness Warrior); How to Detox Your Beauty Cupboard (Sarah Wilson); HOW TO: Go Clean (The clean beauty blog)
